Operational Definition:

Columbus Consolidated Government Access Television (CCG-TV) is an in-house television station owned, managed, and operated by the Columbus Consolidated Government (hereinafter "City"). CCG-TV provides 24 hours of government programming and public service announcements cablecast over three cable systems that serve Columbus, Georgia.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide the Columbus viewing area with timely, accurate, and complete government information. Our vision is to be perceived as the finest government channel in the nation, providing government and community news and information to Columbus residents through the use of 24 hours of programming.

CCG-TV is the main communication arm of Columbus, Georgia. CCG-TV's foremost responsibility is to provide live coverage of City Council and Planning Advisory Commission meetings, to inform the citizens of Columbus of events, activities, and news about or affiliated with the Columbus government, and to promote the work of the City.

Goals:

To make City Government more accessible to citizens of Columbus by providing coverage of City Council and Planning Advisory Commission meetings as well as other public meetings and hearings deemed important.

To increase awareness and use of government services through video programming and electronic bulletin boards.

To be a source of information in emergency situations.

General Guidelines:

The fundamental purpose of CCG-TV is to promote the education of the citizens of Columbus, Georgia concerning City government by live telecasts of City Council and Planning Advisory Commission meetings, as well as announcements of City government meetings, City events, and general information related to Columbus, Georgia that is related to the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Columbus, Georgia.

General Policies

CCG-TV may publicize City government meetings, services, events, employment opportunities, as well as other public announcements or other information from other local, state, and federal governmental entities.

CCG-TV will also provide citizens with information and procedures in the event of emergency situations (severe weather, civil emergencies, failure of municipal service or systems, hazardous waste releases, etc). Emergency messages will take priority over all other programming until the emergency situation is resolved.

At a minimum, all regular Council meetings will be broadcast live and covered gavel to gavel with no interruptions. The only exception to uninterrupted coverage is a legally allowable executive session or due to technical difficulties. There will be no editorial comment. Council meetings may be videotaped.

All videotapes of meetings or CCG-TV produced programming shall be the property of CCG-TV. In general, tapes of produced programs, meetings, and events will be retained for up to six (6) months. However, City Council meetings, Planned Advisory Commission meetings, and public hearings and forums will be archived in the CCG-TV studio for one (1) year. After one year, these tapes will be moved to the records department for three (3) years. At the end of this time, tapes may be reused or stored in a form other than the original version. Requests for longer retention will be allowed on a case-by-case basis.

Live telecasts of meetings and/or videotaped copies of live telecasts are not the official record of the meeting, and there shall be no liability by the City or its employees for inaccurate information stated during an aired event. Typed meeting minutes shall serve as the official record of a meeting upon City Council and Planned Advisory Commission approval.

Any announcement/message may be edited for space and clarity.

Should there be an error in any message displayed, neither the City nor the employee responsible shall be liable for the inaccuracy of the information or for actions taken by anyone as a result of the inaccurate information.

Scheduling

Scheduling of programming and electronic bulletin board messages shall be the responsibility of the Station Manager or his/her designee.

Scheduling shall be based on the importance of the message/notice to be displayed and as the schedule of the Station Manager permits. The following is a prioritized list of types of announcements that apply to scheduling decisions for CCG-TV:

Emergency messages as determined by the City Manger or his/her designee.

Programming of or about meetings of policy-making bodies such as the City Council, Planning Advisory Committee, etc.

Programming of various City departments, their services, or issues.

Programming of other state, local or federal government and other publicly funded authorities or agencies legally subject to responding to requests for open records.

Outside programming that presents issues relevant to City government.

Outside Programming/Bulletin Board Announcement Policies

CCG-TV will display announcements that advertise community, governmental, educational, historical, and health meeting or events, as well as other non-profit functions approved by the Station Manager.

Any programming produced by an outside source for broadcast on CCG-TV must be sponsored by and/or affiliated with City Government and approved by the City Manager or his/her designee.

Both announcements and programming shall be non-commercial in nature. No marketing or sales of any commercial product or service will be permitted.

Advertising on behalf of or opposing any political candidate, political party or ballot measure is prohibited. Candidates for election may not use the CCG-TV except in performance of their official duties at official meetings or as a citizen addressing an governmental issue at an official meeting.

Fundraising or any kind of direct solicitation of funds, except by City departments and officials for public purposes, is prohibited, including but not limited to yard/garage sales, bake sales, etc.

CCG-TV will not accept outside production that is shot, edited, or produced with substandard video equipment. The Station Manager will have the authority to decide whether an outside production is substandard. The Station Manager's decision may be appealed to the City Manager.

CCG-TV will not air programming that violates any local, state, or federal law.

CCG-TV reserves the right to refuse any programming or announcement request that is in violation of the mission, goal, and general guidelines of this Policy.

Dispute Resolution

Any dispute in regard to any programming and/or electronic bulletin board notice decisions may be appealed in writing to the City Manager or his/her designee. A written appeal of the decision of the City Manager may be filed with the City Council who will make the final decision.

Effectiveness Date

This policy was revised on April 22, 2010. Any prior policies in conflict with this policy are repealed.